”Will be taking one game at a time to win the tournament”: Harmanpreet Kaur

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July 28, 2022

India cricket team captain Harmanpreet Kaur said they will be taking one game at a time in Commonwealth Games 2022 with the aim to win the whole tournament.

The Birmingham Commonwealth Games 2022 is being held from July 28 to August 8. The Indian women’s cricket team arrived in Birmingham on Monday.

“We will take one game at a time. Have plans for every team but we’re focusing on the first game as of now,” said Harmanpreet Kaur in the pre-match press conference.

India’s campaign in CWG will start with a game against Australia which will be followed by a match against arch-rivals Pakistan.

“All the things are important, winning all the games are important in a tournament like this especially. The first game will set the nerve for the whole tournament,” she added The team will also be playing on Edgbaston for the first time which has been a happy hunting ground for the Indian team all this time.

It will be interesting to see if the women’s team can replicate the same performance. Talking about the pitch at the ground, the captain said, “Couldn’t practice on pitch, only on nets. It has very nice batting tracks. Good for both batters and bowlers,”

Two of the Indian players suffered COVID and could not fly to Birmingham for practice with the rest of the team. The team management is waiting on the update of the players before bringing in the reserves for the games. The two players are Pooja and Meghna.

“We still have a balanced side if we shuffle it we can have a good combination of batting and bowling,” said Harampreet.

“Things are looking well, had 3 practice sessions ahead of the game. Everyone is looking in great form and looking for the match. Everyone is in great shape,” she continued.

The first matchup between India and Australia will be very important for both teams as a win can always set the team up for a good campaign. With the second match against Pakistan, which will be very exciting for the fans.

“India-Pakistan matchups are always exciting but as a player matchups does not excite you the only thing that matters is your performance and how you execute on the play,” the captain said. The Indian team will be getting special attention during this time because it will be the first time they’ll be appearing in a multi-sport event like CWG. Women’s T20I cricket is making its debut at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham this year, with the top eight teams competing for the gold medal.

Action will be taken against ‘placard holders’ in Rajya Sabha

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ANI

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July 28, 2022

Amid the ruckus by the Opposition over several issues, action will now be taken against ‘placard holders’ in the Rajya Sabha from now on, said sources.

As per the Parliamentary Customs and Conventions as codified in the ‘Handbook for the Members of Rajya Sabha’, “Production of exhibits on the Floor of the House is not in order” and the Members are required to note and observe these customs and conventions.

Rajya Sabha Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu has been all the while objecting to the Members holding placards during the proceedings of the House whenever it so happened and urged the Members to desist from the same.

He raised this matter in his meetings with the leaders of the Opposition and asked them to advise members of respective parties to stop displaying placards. For the first time, “…….displayed placards this morning” was specifically mentioned along with other acts of disruption in the motion moved on Thursday by the Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs V Muraleedharan for suspending three Members of Rajya Sabha.

The other acts mentioned include entering the Well of the House and shouting slogans that disrupted the proceedings of the House in utter disregard to the House and the authority of the Chair.

Sushil Kumar Gupta and Sandeep Kumar Pathak of AAP and Ajit Kumar Bhuyan, an Independent Member were suspended for the remainder of this week.

Leader of the Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge on Thursday met Chairman Naidu this morning and sought revocation of the suspension of Members of Rajya Sabha done over the last two days.

Naidu underlining the gravity of unruly behaviour by some Members in the House reiterated that revocation of suspension could be considered only if the suspended Members regret their conduct in the House.

The total number of suspended MPs from the Rajya Sabha is now 23. Lok Sabha also witnessed adjournments on Thursday. Both the Houses have been facing adjournments on various issues due to the Opposition ruckus since the Parliament’s Monsoon Session started.

The Monsoon Session of Parliament commenced on July 18 and will continue till August 12. There will be 18 sittings during the Session

Petrol Pump manager shot dead in UP

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ANI

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July 28, 2022

A petrol pump manager was shot dead in broad daylight on Thursday when he tried to stop miscreants from stealing diesel from a truck parked on the Lucknow-Delhi National Highway 24.

The manager, Sushil Kumar, was at his petrol pump along with two of his co-workers when he saw some men taking out diesel from a truck. When he and his co-workers objected, the miscreants shot him dead and fled in their car.

Raj Kumar Aggarwal, SP Rural Bareilly said, “A petrol pump manager, along with his two co-workers were at their petrol pump on the road when they saw some suspicious activity going on around the truck that was parked on the road. They saw some people park their car and steal diesel from the truck.”

“When they approach the thieves and asked them to stop, they opened fire in which the manager died,” he further added.

Raj Kumar, SP (rural) said that the body has been sent for post-mortem and CCTV footage is being scanned to identify the accused. He said that a team had been set up and efforts were on to arrest the accused at the earliest.

Uyghur rights activists are protesting against China’s atrocities in Xinjiang

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ANI

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July 28, 2022

The East Turkistan Government in Exile, the East Turkistan National Awakening Movement, and the Free Kazakhs Organization organized a demonstration at the United Nations headquarters on Tuesday to highlight China’s atrocities against the Uyghur community in East Turkistan.

The protesters demanded the UN to release its report on China’s ongoing genocide against Uyghurs and other Turkic peoples, according to the statement released by East Turkistan Government in Exile.

This protest came after the reports came that China was pressuring the UN human rights chief Michelle Bachelet to bury a highly anticipated report on China’s atrocities against Uyghurs and other Turkic peoples in East Turkistan.

“We call on the UN and its member states to not allow China to manipulate the UN system,” said Prime Minister Salih Hudayar of the East Turkistan Government in Exile in a statement in front of the UN Headquarters in New York.

“We demand that the UN stop ignoring China’s ongoing genocide in East Turkistan, and we demand that the UN releases its report on China’s ongoing genocide in East Turkistan immediately,” he added.

According to the statement, the Chinese government had started its whole campaign of genocide targeting Uyghurs, Kazakhs, Kyrgyz, and other Turkic peoples following Xi Jinping’s visit to East Turkistan in May 2014.

Millions of ethnic Turkic people were sent to concentration camps, prisons, and slave labor camps and subjected to torture, indoctrination, rape, organ harvesting, forced sterilization, and even extrajudicial killings. This campaign of genocide continues at this very moment. According to the statement, the UN had primarily ignored China’s 21st-century Holocaust-like genocide.

“The lack of action by the UN Human Rights Council, the UN General Assembly, and the UN Security Council have enabled the fascist Chinese government to carry out genocide against Uyghurs, Kazakhs, Kyrgyz and other Turkic peoples with impunity for the past eight years,” Haider Jan, the Community Outreach Coordinator of the East Turkistan National Awakening Movement said.

“The United Nations and its member states must act against China’s ongoing genocide and uphold their commitments under the UN Genocide Convention and the UN Charter,” he added. Tursunay Ziyawudun, a female Uyghur concentration camp survivor living in the United States who attended the demonstration today, warned that “time is running out for the Uyghurs and other Turkic peoples in East Turkistan.

” She stated that “the UN General Assembly should also adopt a resolution to recognize and act to China’s ongoing genocide of Uyghurs, Kazakhs, Kyrgyz, and other Turkic peoples in East Turkistan before it is too late.”

The East Turkistan Government in Exile again calls on the international community to uphold its commitments under the UN Genocide Convention by taking meaningful action, including humanitarian intervention if necessary, to end China’s ongoing campaign of genocide in East Turkistan.

The East Turkistan Government in Exile again reiterates that restoring East Turkistan’s rightful independence is the only solution to ensure the freedoms, human rights, and very existence of Uyghurs and other Turkic peoples.

The Uyghurs are a predominantly Muslim minority Turkic ethnic group, whose origins can be traced to Central and East Asia.

Their native region is considered to be the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region in the People’s Republic of China.

Xinjiang is technically an autonomous region within China. The Uyghurs are Muslim, they don’t speak Mandarin as their native language, and have an ethnicity and culture that is different from that of mainland China.

Over the past few decades, as economic prosperity has come to Xinjiang, it has brought with it in large numbers the majority of Han Chinese, who have cornered the better jobs, and left the Uyghurs feeling their livelihoods and identity were under threat.

This led to sporadic violence, in 2009 culminating in a riot that killed 200 people, mostly Han Chinese, in the region’s capital Urumqi.

Chinese authorities have been accused of imposing forced labour, systematic forced birth control and torture, and separating children from incarcerated parents.

China has been forcibly mass sterilising Uyghur women to suppress the population, separating children from their families, and attempting to break the cultural traditions of the group. However, China denies all allegations of human rights abuses in Xinjiang.

England scores massive total against SA: Bairstow and Ali shines

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ANI

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July 28, 2022

Collective effort from Jonny Bairstow and Moeen Ali as England triumphs over South Africa by 41 runs in the first T20I match of the three-match T20I series played on July 27 here at the Gloucestershire cricket ground, Bristol.

Jonny Bairstow and Moeen Ali smashed half-century as England puts on an enormous total of 234 runs. Bairstow scored 90 runs off 53 balls while Moeen Ali put on the score of 52 runs in only 18 balls.

Lungi Ngidi scalped 5 of the 6 wickets for South Africa as the rest of the bowling lineup fell short. South African batter and wicketkeeper Tristan Stubbs fought hard for the team scoring 72 runs off only 28 balls.

Opener Reeza Hendricks also scored a half-century off 57 runs off 33 balls. English bowling attack was able to reduce the visitors to a total of 193 runs as England won the game by 41 runs. South Africa won the toss and chose to bowl first but the decision certainly didn’t go their way.

Starting the innings for England, Jason Roy and Captain Jos Buttler stood on the pitch to give England a head start. Buttler scored 22 runs off 7 balls getting England off the mark but got dismissed by South African pacer Ngidi. The score stood 28 for 1 for England.

The second wicket came through soon as well in the form of Roy who seems to be going through a rough patch this year in T20I. Only one half-century came from his bat this year. He couldn’t perform this match either as he got dismissed at the hands of Ngidi who took his second wicket of the match only being able to score 8 runs off 15 balls.

Dawid Malan and Jonny Bairstow took up the opportunity and stood strong for the English team. Runs were coming at a good pace for the hosts.

In the 11th over, South African pacer Andile Phehlukwayo finally struck giving the team the much-needed wicket to break the partnership between the Malan and Bairstow.

Malan got dismissed at the score of 43 runs in 23 runs but he did the job for his team as the total of England stood 112 for 3 in around 11 overs. Unfortunately, Malan’s dismissal wasn’t the end of might England’s batting.

Up next was Moeen Ali who went on to score the fastest half-century for England in T20I format with the score of 52 runs in only 18 balls. Bairstow and Ali’s partnership was also the second fastest 100-run stand in T20I match.

Bairstow also went on to put on his career high of 90 runs in T20I format. Their wickets only came through in the next spell of Ngidi who also achieved his career best with 5 wickets for 39 runs.

Putting on the massive score of 234 runs which was also the second highest for England, it was a tough job at hand for South African batsmen.

The innings for South Africa couldn’t quite get off to mark with two wickets of Quinton de Kock and Rilee Rossouw coming in only the second over of the match at the hands of Reece Topley. Reeza Hendricks and Tristan Stubbs were the only ones who could put up a fight for South Africa with 57 and 72 runs respectively for both of them. The innings for the duo was not enough for the visitors to complete the chase as the English reduced them to a total of 193 runs only.

Richard Gleeson was expensive for England but also scalped 3 wickets for the team. Reece Topley and Adil Rashid took two wickets each for England with a wicket coming in from spinner Moeen Ali as well.

A comfortable win for the English squad thanks to the massive total that the batting lineup put on the board for hosts to defend.

Moeen Ali was awarded man of the match for his batting and bowling performance. The next T20I will be played between the teams on July 28. The match can also be a decider for both teams. The English team can clench the whole series if they win the next game but if they lose the last third decider game will be forced by the visitors.

Love Me, My People..!

By

Robert Clements

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July 28, 2022

A faint breeze around the UN building in New York, had all the world flags slightly swaying, except the Indian flag who moved more vigorously, “Hurrah!” she shouted.

“What’s with the hurrah stuff?” asked the American flag stiffly, “You feeling you’re back home, with this terrible New York heatwave?”

“Nah!” beamed the Indian flag, “I’ve just heard that now I can be flown both day and night, and in any home, anywhere in my country! Just like you’re flown here!”

“I must say that’s going to make your country quite a colorful sight!” smiled the British flag, “Saffron, white and green all over, that’s gonna look pretty!”

“It won’t happen,” said the Chinese flag gruffly, its red background growing redder, “Unless your government passes a law that every home should fly a flag, it won’t happen!”

“Pass a law, cut off their heads if no flag is flown!” smirked the North Korean flag, it’s red stripe getting more the color of blood, “You’ll have people hoisting you in every room!”

“Ha, ha, ha!” laughed the flags of China and North Korea together and they were joined by a distinct chuckle coming from the red, white and blue Russian flag.

The Indian flag shuddered, “I would not like to be flown because of a law,” she said, “I would like to be flown….”
The flags of the democratic world stared at her as she stopped. “What were you going to say?” they asked together.

“I would like to be flown, in every home and building in my beloved country, because they love me!” she whispered even as China, Russia, and North Korea guffawed and a few others who kowtowed to them, sniggered.

“Love?” asked China.

“Yes love!” said the Star and Stripes.

“Love for the color? Love for the fabric?” sniggered China, looking disdainfully at the khadi flag.

“No, love for the country!” said the Union Jack, “A country that gives equal opportunity for all, that, as in my country, anybody, even an Indian origin Hindu can try to become a Prime Minister! Where it is not just those of one faith whose opinions matter but that of every single person, whatever faith he belongs to!”

There was a hush as the Star and Stripes spoke, “Be careful oh Tricolor, of those who hoist you up selfishly for themselves. Last year we had a President who shouted, ‘Make America great again!’ But what he meant was to make me a symbol of the white man!”

The Indian flag looked across the ocean in the direction of India, and whispered, “I want to fly in the hearts of every Indian, whatever his or her caste, creed or community! Love me my people!”

“Jai Hind!” whispered the same faint breeze from the East River, as the heatwave cooled with the heartfelt cry of the khadi Tiranga..!

CBI recovers paintings of renowned artists, expensive watches worth crores in Yes Bank

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ANI

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July 28, 2022

cbi — CBI recovers paintings of renowned artists, expensive watches worth crores in Yes Bank 9

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Thursday recovered paintings and watches worth several crores during further searches conducted in the Yes BankDHFL (Diwan Housing Finance Corporation Ltd) scam case.

The CBI said articles worth several crores were purchased from diverted funds. These recoveries were made during further searches in an ongoing investigation of a case related to alleged loss of Rs. 34,615 crore (approx.) to consortium of 17 banks led by Union Bank of India.

Two paintings made by FN Souza (1964) and another by SH Raza (1956) worth Rs 5.50 crore (approx); two watches of Jacob & Co & Frank Muller Geneve worth Rs 5 crore (approx) and Gold & Diamond Jewellery including Bangles and Necklace worth Rs 2 crore (approx) have been recovered.

It was also alleged that the Promoters had acquired expensive items using the diverted funds.

During the investigation, the CMD and then Director, both of private companies based at Mumbai were arrested and both are presently in CBI custody.

A case was registered on June 20, 2022 on a complaint from Union Bank of India, Industrial Finance Branch, Mumbai against private (Borrower) company based at Mumbai, its then CMD, then Director and others including a private person, private companies, unknown public servant(s) & private persons on the allegations that the accused cheated a consortium of 17 banks led by Union Bank of India to the tune of Rs. 34,615 crore (approx.) by siphoning off loans availed from the said banks & falsifying the books of said private (Borrower) company and creating Shell Companies/false entities, which had come to be known as “Bandra Book Entities”

It was alleged that the said private company & its promoters had created a number of shell companies & fictitious entities (the Bandra Book entities) and siphoned off huge funds by disbursing funds to such fictitious entities.

It was further alleged that separate audits conducted by other private audit accounting organisations had identified multiple instances of diversion of funds by the accused for personal benefits and falsification of books of accounts to camouflage & conceal dubious transactions.

The audits also identified several instances where large value loans were provided to such fictitious entities without due diligence and without securities. Instances of sanction and disbursement of loans, merely by e-mail communications were allegedly found for which no loan files were maintained in the said private (Borrower) company.

Earlier, searches were conducted at various locations in Mumbai at the premises of the accused which led to the recovery of incriminating documents.

Dhan Kubers of India – Corruption destroying the country

By

Vaidehi Taman

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July 28, 2022

We read and hear about numerous scams by politicians. They never remain poor but make more wealth than what a common man can imagine. It is solely due to human greed where the works, especially the budgets sent to them by the Centre are misused by them and this process is not transparent to the public. Every politician is collecting money for horse trading. BJP’S coffers are overflowing, thanks to big corporation’s quid pro quo. Opposition parties indulge in scamming to collect enormous wealth. Money is the main powerbroker at present because there is no ideology or ethics in the picture. Irrespective of who is ruling it is the 60:40 formulas which runs the country.

Politicians make money by launching new schemes. Tenders are sold to those who give them more money. For example the Amravati, green fields are converted into residential places, do politicians need to have a lavish lifestyle at the parliament they are building one with people’s money and simply what they do is entertain us on TV, by making this so lavish it gives the builder some buffer to write down extra stuff in accounts and that money goes to politicians. This is an outdated way, now they earn more by buying lands in demanding areas and selling them to the government at a higher rate that way they earn a lot of money.

In spite of knowing the corrupt leaders we repeatedly elect them. Be it Sharad Pawar, Shahs and Thackeray or Banerjees. All are corrupted and possess a lot of money that India can survive for many years without paying taxes. If such Politicians are in the Govt. We will remain a developed country for another century. The demand for reservation will remain, the reservation will remain reserved. It is rightly said, “In a democratic country, you get the government you deserve” So we elect such Politicians repeatedly to rule us. In our country corrupt politicians don’t face any serious consequences for their corrupt behaviour. Take the examples of most corrupt leaders of Maharashtra’s Shiv Sena, they all now joined BJP and the ED and IT turned mute on them.

Remember when IT officials raided 36 locations, including Jadhav’s house in Mazgaon’s Bilakhadi Chambers, the home of Bimal Agarwal, and the homes of five private BMC contractors. They discovered information on at least 36 properties worth more than Rs 130 crore and recovered Rs 2 crore in undeclared cash and Rs 1.5 crore worth of jewellery. The raids also unearthed receipts indicating cash payments totalling more than Rs 120 crore in the last year, primarily to BMC corporators, prompting the department to investigate the specifics of all 26 civic standing committee members.

Former Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) standing committee head Yashwant Jadhav of then the Shiv Sena ( now with Eknath Shinde) had obtained tenancy rights to 31 flats in Mazgaon’s Bilakhadi Chambers for 10 crores, according to an Income Tax Department probe. He was able to do this with the support of his assistant Bimal Agarwal’s firm Newshawk Multimedia Pvt Ltd. When questioned, he stated that the first diary entry was about him giving away watches on his mother’s birthday, and the second was about giving out presents to the poor on Gudi Padwa in honour of his mother.

The Income Tax Department is also investigating a Rs 15-crore payback of an unsecured loan to a Kolkata-based shell company that was subsequently channelled back to Jadhav aide Bimal Agarwal’s firm. According to l-T sources, Jadhav used the money to buy a hotel and a property with renters who exploited a Pagdi system. But now all this is forgotten and pardoned.

In 2017, fake currency in the denominations of Rs 500, Rs 2,000, Rs 100 and Rs 50 worth Rs 1.37 lakh were seized from the house of BJP leaders Eracheri Rajesh and his brother Rakesh, both hailing from Mathilakam in Thrissur district. But they know nothing can go wrong because central agencies are under control of BJP in the centre.

West Bengal minister Partha Chatterjee, who was arrested on Saturday by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with an alleged scam related to the recruitment of teachers in West Bengal. His arrest came after the ED conducted raids on the premises of Arpita Mukherjee, a close associate of West Bengal minister Partha Chatterjee, and seized Rs 20 crore in cash. The said amount is suspected to be proceeds of crime of said SSC scam. The Enforcement Directorate investigating the teacher recruitment scam raided the premises of Arpita Mukherjee, believed to be an associate of Partha Chatterjee. During the raids, the officials found heaps of cash piled up in a corner — later amounting to Rs 20 crore. There are many politicians who got caught with cash and scams but hardly anyone is severely punished. Maximum they get one or two years jail and scot free.

Political Leaders should ask their followers to not up illegal hoardings

By

PTI

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July 28, 2022

The Bombay High Court on Thursday said the menace of illegal hoardings can be stopped if political leaders and ministers, whose pictures are displayed on them, urge their followers not to do so.

A division bench of Chief Justice Dipankar Datta and Justice M S Karnik said that if political leaders and ministers indulge their followers, then such illegal hoardings will continue to be put up everywhere. “Ministers and political leaders whose pictures are placed in these hoardings should go to the public and ask them not to do this. They (public) will listen to them,” the court said.

The court further wondered what could be done when those who are in charge of governance themselves do not follow the rule of law.

The bench was hearing a bunch of public interest litigations (PILs) on the issue of illegal banners, hoardings and posters put up by political parties across the state, which according to the pleas defaced public places.

In 2016, the high court had directed the state government and all municipal corporations to ensure that no illegal hoardings are put up in public places and had directed the authorities to submit compliance reports.

Chief Justice Datta on Thursday noted that the judiciary cannot enter the domain of the executive and implement orders.

“The high court has passed an order and we have to depend on the executive to implement it. We cannot go to the street and implement our orders,” he said.

The court noted that if there was no “genuine intention” (on the part of the government), then it will never be implemented.

The bench directed the state government to file a report by August 12 stating what measures it proposes to take to tackle this “menace”.

The court also suggested for all municipal corporations and district councils to share with ward officers and police station a list of the hoardings that have been granted permission. “If this list is shared real-time then it would help the police act against the illegal hoardings. These are all matters of the administration which officers should be abreast of,” Chief Justice Datta said.

”Give us a break, There is limit to targeting us”, Justice Chandrachud

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ANI

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July 28, 2022

Justice DY Chandrachud, a Supreme Court judge, on Thursday, expressed his displeasure over criticism in the media about judges not taking up cases.

Justice Chandrachud was hearing a mention by a lawyer seeking the listing of a case relating to violence and attacks on Christians when the judge said that he read in the news that this matter was not being taken up.

“Give us judges a break. I was down with Covid, hence the matter was deferred. I read in the news that judges are not taking it up. There is a limit to targeting us,” said the judge.

The matter was listed for hearing on July 15 but it could not be taken up as the bench did not assemble. The plea filed by Archbishop Of Bangalore Diocese Dr. Peter Machado alleged a rising number of attacks on Christian institutions and priests across the country.

The plea sought directions to stop violence and mob attacks against the members of the Christian community in various states across the country also seeking the implementation of earlier apex court guidelines to curb hate crimes.

The petition has sought the setting up of Special Investigation Teams with officers from outside the States where the incidents set out to register FIRs, conduct criminal investigations and prosecute the criminal offenders in accordance with the law.

It further sought direction that the SITs file closure reports in accordance with the law, where false counter FIRs have been filed by the assailants against the victims. It has also sought implementation of the guidelines issued in the Tehseen Poonawala judgment in which nodal officers were to be appointed to take note of hate crimes and register FIRs across the nation.

The Supreme Court 2018, had issued a slew of guidelines for the Centre and State governments to control and prevent the increasing number of hate crimes, including mob violence and lynching.

The guidelines included fast-tracked trials, victim compensation, deterrent punishment and disciplinary action against lax law-enforcing officials.

The top court had said offences such as hate crimes, cow vigilantism and lynching incidents should be nipped in the bud.